Washington (CNN) - As the House of Representatives prepares for a vote on Wednesday to repeal the health care law, the No. 2 House Democrat acknowledged Tuesday that Democrats have fallen short selling the public on the benefits of the law, and predicted the issue will be central in the 2012 presidential contest.

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, asked by CNN about polls showing Americans are almost evenly split on whether to repeal the health care law, said those polls are evidence that Democrats have work to do. "Apparently none of us did a good enough job because public opinion is divided, and they are unsure of whether this legislation is going to be positive for them and their families."FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - A new poll is the latest to suggest that Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah could face a tough time as he seeks his party's re-nomination in 2012.

A Utah Policy survey indicates that Hatch in third place in a hypothetical three-way matchup for the GOP Senate nomination in Utah, behind former Gov. John Huntsman, who is now the U.S. ambassador to China, and behind Rep. Jason Chaffetz. Forty-eight percent of Utah voters questioned in the poll, which was released Monday evening, say they would prefer Huntsman if the election were held today, with 23 percent backing Chaffetz and 21 percent supporting Hatch.

(CNN) - A prominent Connecticut Democratic politician announced Tuesday her intention to launch a bid for the state's Senate seat currently held by independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman.

Former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz's announcement may encourage others eyeing the Democratic nomination to announce their intentions sooner rather than later. Reps. Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy are said to be considering a bid; Lieberman's Democratic colleagues are rumored to be encouraging him to run for re-election as a Democrat.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - After a difficult and controversial two-week stretch for Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor's favorable rating has dipped to its lowest level since she joined the 2008 Republican presidential ticket and became a household name.

According to the new USA TODAY/Gallup survey, Palin's favorability rating has dipped to 38 percent while her unfavorable now stands at 53 percent. Gallup reports the 38 percent is a new low when it comes to the percentage of Americans who give the former Alaska governor a thumbs up. The 53 percent who dislike Palin is also a new high in Gallup polling. A similar poll in July found 44 percent of Americans viewed her favorably while 47 percent did not.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - Just hours before the House of Representatives is scheduled to begin debate on repealing the nation's new health care law, a new national poll indicates that given the same choice lawmakers will face between repealing the whole measure or keeping it all in place, half of all Americans prefer repeal.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, released on Tuesday, also indicates wide partisan and generational divides over the issue.

Tuesday's debate and a scheduled House vote on Wednesday fulfills a campaign promise by congressional Republicans to attempt to repeal health care reform, but also sets up a clash with President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats.

(CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton will campaign for Rahm Emanuel Tuesday at a rally in the Chicago Cultural Center, but the high profile visit is not without controversy.

One of Emanuel's leading opponents, Carol Moseley Braun – herself a former ambassador to New Zealand under Clinton – publically called on the former president to back out of the Chicago race late last year.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - Following the Tucson shootings and the one-week pause in Congress, this is now the first week of legislative action by the new Republican House. A week to watch closely. Below, we've listed three things others might miss.

This is also a significant week for American Sauce and our mission to put substance above political haze. You can now see what we do and how we do it in a video. It looks nothing like regular TV news. Click here to watch.

Washington (CNN) - The liberal advocacy group Americans United for Change released a new ad on Tuesday calling out those members of Congress who are attempting to repeal the health care bill.

The ad, which will run on the major cable news outlets, warns viewers that while "the Affordable Care Act gave your family the same health protections members of Congress get . . . Republicans want to take that protection away from your family".